Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-01-27

How far could I calculate my own
strength and persistencei closed my
eyes and feeling of dizziness came over
me. | opened them again, and there was
the horrible thing still crouching stealth
ily at tho foot of the tree. / had never
tainted in my life, but now / compre-
hended how people might feel when
their sense ard Consciousness deserted
thsm, and left them at the mercy of thu
Great Beyond.
Hush
A clear sweet whistle. Surely that was
Ned Parsons whistling his favorits air of
my Ain COuntreen down the mountain
side. summoned up all my courage and
shouted:
Help! Help! Help!H
A loud halo answered me; there was
the sound OF footsteps plunging through
the brambles, and springing over fallen
logs.
"Nellyl Where are you Nellys In the
name of all possessed, what arc you do
ing up thereg" cried Ned, coming to a
standstill half dozen yards or so from
my haven Of refuge.
'Oh, be careful, Ned" / shrieked "The
bear! the bear"
"What bear whereln
"Close TO the foot of the tree, Don't
you see him 2" / gasped.
"But il isn't bear said Ned after a
few seconds of careful Investigations.
'Do you suppose bear will stand still
when he sees a man with rifle approach
ing himf It's Nick, the dog; missed
him FIVE minutes ago. He is waiting for
me there"
To this day am not prepared to an
swer, ON oath, az to how / came down ont
of that tree-whether / fell out of il,
whether | jumped, or whether l climbed
down after the regulation fashion, but
came down and in another second / was
claspipg old Nick about his shaggy neck,
and laughing in way that was neaf akin
TO tears.
"To think" / cried ont shat I've taken
old Nick for a bear! To think that he
frightened me sou
walked home leaning on Ned Parsons
arm. He had never seemed so manly a
man to me before. He did not laugh at
me as he might have done. He did not
make fun of my ridiculous biunder; but
he was so tender and gentle 70 me as il /
had been a frightened child.
And then and there / made up my mind
that Ned Parsons was more worthy Of a
woman's love than BERTHE Phillips down in
New York.
Iresolyed TO play the coquette no long
er.
J determined 20 abandon my role of a
modern Lady Clara We're dc We're.
No, | would not
Break a country heart
For raGtimp. ere / went TO town.
How can l ever thank youf" / whisper
ed, as we parted at the foot of the wind
ing stairway.
II am already thanked he said, cour-
teously,
Mrs. Parsons was much edited when
she heard of my adventure; for l told her
the whole story as | sat warming my feet
before the FIRE, while she was frying the
chickens for supper.
"Wen, do declare.N said she. ITO
think that Edward should happen along
so handy And he don't generally get
back 30 early from Black Valley. But she
amt 10 hum. She's gone TO New York to
get her woddin' fixin's!"
"Who isn't at homer" said l. 'Who has
gone to New York;"
"Why Fanny Bolton, to be sure. The
ministers second darter.n
But who is Fanny Bottom
Don't you know The girl our Edward
is engaged tor
Engaged! My eyelids fell; a sudden
rush of crimson suifused my face.
"Ohw said II hope they'll be very
happy, I'm sure"
I And so 1t happens that Bert Phillids is
1 yet without a rival in my list of suitors.
/ | had not been in any danger OF becom-
ming a Lady Clara We're de We're.